A thoughtful exploration of loneliness, in the tradition of Henri Nouwen's classic Reaching Out. Loneliness may be more pervasive now than at any other time in human history. Cell phones and "instant messaging" not withstanding, our longing for meaningful connections seems to increase in direct proportion to our accessibility.
In The Restless Heart, Ronald Rolheiser identifies different types of loneliness and discusses the dangers and opportunities they represent in our lives. Using contemporary parables from literature, film, and his own life, he shows that loneliness can be a tremendously creative and even valuable force when it is recognized, accepted and used as a dynamic catalyst. With his trademark clarity of vision, honesty, and intelligence, Rolheiser offers a distinctively Christian approach to living an examined, involved life and presents suggestions that will free readers to discover greater meaning and fulfillment in their own lives.
The Restless Heart
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From Publishers Weekly
In this re-issue of a book first published more than two decades ago, Rolheiser, a Catholic priest and author, looks at the deep longing every person experiences and often names as loneliness. He examines its nature and inherent dangers at some length, but also shows how loneliness can bring great benefits, as it often does in the lives of artists. Loneliness, he writes, presents both potential peril and tremendous opportunity for growth, giving birth to the latter when "understood and channeled creatively." Rolheiser develops his ideas by showing how the Hebrew and Christian scriptures and various theologians from Augustine to Karl Rahner have dealt with this basic human problem. He also draws on writers as diverse as the mystic John of the Cross, philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and novelist John Updike. Kierkegaard, he says, was able to mine beauty from his loneliness by seeing it as a "vocation" and himself as someone who could form his pain into "beautiful music—music that could bring healing to those who hear it." Rolheiser goes on to propose a "spirituality of loneliness" rooted in prayer and "the community of life." Readers who have delved into spiritual classics and the works of contemporary religious writers for answers to this basic human question will be attracted to this book, which eschews spiritual fluff. Rolheiser is not given to romantic illusions or easy answers, but serves as an informed guide who is familiar with the challenging territory about which he writes.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
Advance Praise for The Restless Heart
“Ronald Rolheiser examines the pain of loneliness and the meaning of our longing with compassionate precision. The book is not simply an exercise in personal spirituality but comes at a time when great social and political harm is done because many of us cannot
endure and enjoy who we are in our loneliness. A much needed antidote to the uneasiness of the times.” —Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and author of Living the Truth and Seasons of Grace.
“Ronald Rolheiser has emerged as one of the finest spiritual writers of our time. In this new edition of his earliest work he tills the soil where the holy longing is cultivated, nurtured, and sustained: the lonely human heart. He holds the key to help loosen the suffocating grip of loneliness so that our deepmost desires flourish and find rest in God.”
—Michael Downey, Cardinal’s Theologian, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Praise for The Holy Longing
“Rolheiser’s program for Christian spirituality is reminiscent of the best work of Henri Nouwen and Daniel Berrigan.” —Publishers Weekly
“A master weaver is at work here . . . I found my soul on every page. At last we have a guide who helps us know what to do with the fire of desire within us. At last a comprehensive, lifegiving approach to sexuality. At last a dynamic understanding of how the paschal mystery plays in our own lives. At last a way to weave love for the poor and struggling people with the highest mystical love of God—I love this book.” —Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
“Ronald Rolheiser examines the pain of loneliness and the meaning of our longing with compassionate precision. The book is not simply an exercise in personal spirituality but comes at a time when great social and political harm is done because many of us cannot
endure and enjoy who we are in our loneliness. A much needed antidote to the uneasiness of the times.” —Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and author of Living the Truth and Seasons of Grace.
“Ronald Rolheiser has emerged as one of the finest spiritual writers of our time. In this new edition of his earliest work he tills the soil where the holy longing is cultivated, nurtured, and sustained: the lonely human heart. He holds the key to help loosen the suffocating grip of loneliness so that our deepmost desires flourish and find rest in God.”
—Michael Downey, Cardinal’s Theologian, Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Praise for The Holy Longing
“Rolheiser’s program for Christian spirituality is reminiscent of the best work of Henri Nouwen and Daniel Berrigan.” —Publishers Weekly
“A master weaver is at work here . . . I found my soul on every page. At last we have a guide who helps us know what to do with the fire of desire within us. At last a comprehensive, lifegiving approach to sexuality. At last a dynamic understanding of how the paschal mystery plays in our own lives. At last a way to weave love for the poor and struggling people with the highest mystical love of God—I love this book.” —Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By ML
Format:Paperback
This book written by Fr. Rolheiser is about the nature of loneliness (i.e. what it is), what Christians have discovered about loneliness and how loneliness can help us reach out for God.
His style of writing is easy to read, while conveying deep spiritual insights. He is not writing about practical stuff; he writes about what is inside our hearts, and I thought he remained remarkably objective through it all. The book is not too long either, less than 200 pages.
The first part (nature of loneliness) talks about loneliness in its most obvious way: as a problem we all face. This part also mentions how we have become a culture of loneliness. It was comforting for me to read that, because it made me understand why I sometimes feel disconnected from my life.
The second part of the book offers a Christian understanding of loneliness. It explains that loneliness is not only a problem, but if considered in light of the Scriptures and the mystics, is a way for us to look for what completes us, to yearn for God, a dynamic movement towards Him. This part shows clearly that nothing on earth will ever fulfill us, and that we will remain in this state of longing until the Lord welcomes us in heaven with Him.
While I really liked this book, it was not emotionally easy to read it, because I found that it made me face my own loneliness. I would also like to add that while it is true that we will never be fully satisfied here, I think the book could have an even more hopeful outlook, about the fact that even if we're lonely, God satisfies us here too, not only in heaven.
However, all in all, I think that this is a good book, especially if you think that you're the only one in the world who's lonely. We're all in this together.
His style of writing is easy to read, while conveying deep spiritual insights. He is not writing about practical stuff; he writes about what is inside our hearts, and I thought he remained remarkably objective through it all. The book is not too long either, less than 200 pages.
The first part (nature of loneliness) talks about loneliness in its most obvious way: as a problem we all face. This part also mentions how we have become a culture of loneliness. It was comforting for me to read that, because it made me understand why I sometimes feel disconnected from my life.
The second part of the book offers a Christian understanding of loneliness. It explains that loneliness is not only a problem, but if considered in light of the Scriptures and the mystics, is a way for us to look for what completes us, to yearn for God, a dynamic movement towards Him. This part shows clearly that nothing on earth will ever fulfill us, and that we will remain in this state of longing until the Lord welcomes us in heaven with Him.
While I really liked this book, it was not emotionally easy to read it, because I found that it made me face my own loneliness. I would also like to add that while it is true that we will never be fully satisfied here, I think the book could have an even more hopeful outlook, about the fact that even if we're lonely, God satisfies us here too, not only in heaven.
However, all in all, I think that this is a good book, especially if you think that you're the only one in the world who's lonely. We're all in this together.
1 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Michelle
Format:Hardcover
This is a reprint, and it reads like one. It's over twenty years old, and I could tell. It has a very sentimental feel. My best friend read it also and didn't like it at all. He described its tone as "emotionalistic" and "effeminate". I can see why. The author tries hard to convey lots of warm and fuzzy feelings for readers, but it just doesn't seem to work. Personally, it reminds me of how my over-fifty friends talk about life; they seem to be stuck in the 1960's.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
70 of 71 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a great book
Aug 15 2004
By Carna Zacharias
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I got this book in the library, but I am going to buy it, because I liked it so much. So what, if it is a reprint. Books get reprinted for a reason. Exploring the universal condition loneliness, it goes way beyond this fashonable self-help stuff (join a social club, become a volunteer). It cuts through to the very heart of the matter. We are lonely, because we are alienated and seperated from our true nature: We are spiritual beings, we are Soul, we are a spark of God. And as long as we don't recognize our true nature, no amount of entertainment or volunteering will ease our pain. This is, what the book is about, and I could not agree more.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loneliness - Our Driving Force to Heaven
Jan 14 2007
By Emily D. Agunod
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
We've all heard that there are two sides of everything. In this book, Fr. Rolheiser shows the reader that loneliness can be crippling but channeled correctly can be a creative force in one's life. I like the way he starts with defining what loneliness is, then moves on to the different causes of loneliness and the kinds of loneliness. He doesn't present a treatise on how to cure loneliness but more of a gentle leading that makes the reader understand that as human beings separated momentarily from our Creator, we will always have a touch of loneliness to be back in our forever home.
This book also offers insight on how loneliness affects even our most basic relationships like loneliness can cause overpossesiveness that drives people away instead of closer or being too eager to please can make people uncomfortable.
In the end, Fr. Rolheiser concludes that we are destined to feel some loneliness because of our separation from God but that same loneliness is the driving force that makes us reach out for Him and others.
This book also offers insight on how loneliness affects even our most basic relationships like loneliness can cause overpossesiveness that drives people away instead of closer or being too eager to please can make people uncomfortable.
In the end, Fr. Rolheiser concludes that we are destined to feel some loneliness because of our separation from God but that same loneliness is the driving force that makes us reach out for Him and others.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Mar 17 2006
By Andrew North
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Hard to put into words the insights of this book. I have had answers to questions I have had for years about loneliness and isolation that as a christian is part of the walk. All I can say is read the book. No formulas here(ie pray more, read bible more, etc) but really helpful insights.
Cannot reccomend this book enough.
Cannot reccomend this book enough.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
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